The concert takes place on Friday, August 22 at 7:30 pm in a private home near Irving Park Road and Lincoln Avenue on Chicago’s north side. Donations can be made online at felinefriendschicago.org/donate.html.

Christopher Walz became interested in the guitar as a teenager while growing up in upstate New York. There he fell in love with the music of rural artists like Mississippi John Hurt and Blind Wilie McTell. He then developed an interest in bluegrass music and wound up spending four years touring the world with Chicago’s preeminent bluegrass band The Special Consensus.

In 2012 Mark Dvorak was named “Chicago’s official troubadour” by WFMT 90.9 Fine Arts Radio. He has recorded sixteen albums to date and is the recipient of the 2014 Folk Alliance International FARM Lantern Bearer Award. His songwriting has been called ‘wondrous,’ and ‘profound.’

Attendance to the concert is by reservation only. Admission is $20 and all proceeds benefit Feline Friends Chicago. Contact Ria Majeske to make your reservations at RMajeske at aol.com or by phone at 773 275 0590.

SOUTH BEND, IN – Chicago-based folksinger and songwriter Mark Dvorak will perform in the Michiana area on Friday and Saturday, August 15 & 16.

On Friday, August 15 at 7:30 pm, Dvorak will make his debut at the newly-opened Chocolate Cafe, 117 S. Main Street, Mishawaka, IN.

“I’m excited for the acoustic scene here in northern Indiana,” said Al Kniola, host of WVPE 88.1 fm radio’s ‘The Back Porch.’ “Owners Todd Berger and Chris Fielding operated The Beanery in downtown Mishawaka some years ago. When they asked for recommendations I sent a note to Mark to see if he might be interested.”

“I’ve been working off and on in the studio all year,” said Dvorak, who has released sixteen CDs and received the 2014 Folk Alliance International FARM Lantern Bearer Award. “I’ve been working on some new songs, and rearranging some older ones too. It’ll be great to try out some new material at the Chocolate Cafe, and the Box Factory. I’m really looking forward to both shows.”

Dvorak will appear in concert on Saturday, August 16, 7:30 pm at The Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad Street, St. Joseph MI. Tickets are $10, $8 for seniors and students.

“We had Mark last winter for a concert during a terrible snow storm,” said Tim King, concert director at The Box Factory. “The audience was small due to the weather, but Mark put on a very wonderful performance. I’ve never seen anyone handle a guitar like he can.”

For more information on The Chocolate Cafe, phone 574 807 2579. Reservations can be made at The Box Factory for the Arts online at www.boxfactoryforthearts.org, or by phoning 269 983 3688.